“Over the last three decades, Inter Valley has been present for not only
momentous changes in history but also the evolving healthcare climate,”
says Ronald Bolding, president, chief executive officer, Inter Valley
Health Plan. “The changes in today’s Medicare landscape have made our
community-driven personal approach to Medicare even more important. It’s
critical that we continue to understand the needs of the older adult
population and provide them with educational tools and resources so they
can make the best decision right for them and their health - the same
way Inter Valley has been doing it for 35 years.”

Medicare has come a long way since President Johnson signed the Medicare
program into law in 1965. Now for Inter Valley’s 35th
anniversary, and one year shy of Medicare’s 50th anniversary,
Inter Valley looks back at Medicare history and acknowledges key
milestones. “It’s those Medicare milestones that have given us the
opportunity to make a strong impact on the health and vitality of older
adults and allowed the company to sustain success in the Southern
California community,” notes Bolding.

Here are some of those Medicare and Inter Valley Health Plan milestones:

The 60’s:

1965: With former President Harry S. Truman at his side, President
Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Medicare bill into law.

1966: Medicare, authorized by the Social Security Act, offered health
insurance to almost all Americans age 65 or older.

The 70’s

1970: 20.4 million older Americans were enrolled in Medicare.

1979: Inter Valley began enrolling members for the first time. There
were 3 employees and 1575 members.

The 80’s

1982: Medicare begins contracting with HMOs on a risk-basis.

1986: Inter Valley had 75 employees.

The 90’s

1998: www.medicare.gov
launched to provide updated information about Medicare on the Internet.

1991: Inter Valley expanded its service area to the High Desert and
added eight more hospitals and physician groups.

1995/1996: Inter Valley expanded to most of Southern California to
include Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, and Riverside County.

The 2000’s

2000: Medicare served 39 million seniors and disabled Americans.

2010: President Barack Obama passes Health Care Reform legislation
into law. Medicare recipients can receive new protections and benefits
under the new law that strengthen Medicare and provide more coverage.

2014: Inter Valley has 20,881 members, 117 Employees and 11 Medicare
and Information Centers across Southern California stretching from Los
Angeles to Orange County to Palm Springs, Riverside, Hemet,
Victorville, Temecula, and virtually every city and town in between.

“After nearly 20 years with Inter Valley, I could not be more proud of
where we are today,” says Cyndie O’Brien, vice president, sales,
marketing and member service, Inter Valley Health Plan. “I have seen the
company adapt to the changes and come out strong, always with the
community’s best interest as its sole mission.”

Inter Valley Health Plan is a not-for-profit, federally qualified, HMO
contracted with Medicare and dedicated to providing the best value in
senior health care coverage. Headquartered in Pomona, Calif., Inter
Valley Health Plan strives to improve the quality of life for seniors
throughout its service area and is one of the oldest managed care plans
in Southern California with 35 years in business. Entrusted by 20,881
individuals stretching from Los Angeles to Orange County to Palm
Springs, Riverside, Hemet, Victorville, Temecula, and virtually every
city and town in between, Inter Valley Health Plan is dedicated to
keeping its members healthy and strong, while maintaining non-profit and
real service values. For more information, please visit www.IVHP.com
or call Cyndie O’Brien, VP Marketing & Communications, (909) 623-6333.
Also, please become a fan of us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/InterValley.